Bettors Guide to the 1st Day of the NCAA Tournament (Night Games)

With the excitement that legalized sports gambling could be on the horizon for the state of Kentucky, I think everybody who is interested should start to get more comfortable with the basics of sports betting. Know what the spread means and how best to navigate making a bet, if you so choose. So let’s go over what you are looking for:

1. Every game will have a team with a plus sign or a minus sign next to them. The team with the minus sign is the FAVORITE and the team with the plus sign is the UNDERDOG.
2. To win a bet it depends on who you bet. If you bet the favorite, that team has to win the game by the amount shown next to their team name or more. For instance, Kentucky is a 4-point favorite against Providence. If you bet Kentucky, they have to win by more than 4 points. If they win by exactly 4 points, you would get your money back.
3. If you bet the underdog, that team can lose the game and you still win your bet. All that underdog has to do is lose by less than the points next to their name. So Providence can lose by 1-3 points and you would still win your bet if you bet the Friars.

So now that you got the basics down, let’s break down today’s 8 games in the night session. Can you make a bet legally yet? Absolutely not. But it still can be fun to prepare as if you can and gear up for legal sports gambling for the 2024 NCAA Tournament!

6:30 – 9 PM GAMES

6:50 pm (Birmingham)
#8 Iowa vs. #9 Auburn (-1)
Breakdown: Am I wrong to say Auburn should not be in Birmingham for the first 2 rounds? Nonetheless they are and I think they get a favorable draw in the 1st round. Iowa doesn’t have the athletes and also isn’t playing particularly well. They are just 3-7 against the spread in their last 10, and one of those 3 wins was a miracle win at home against Michigan State. They flamed out really quick at the Big 10 tournament. Now, Auburn did as well but at least they were competitive against a tournament team. Iowa couldn’t guard my grandmother. If Auburn tries, which is not always a guarantee, they win this game, which is basically a pick’em.
BTI PICK: Auburn (-1)

7:10 pm (Orlando)
#5 Duke (-6) vs. #12 Oral Roberts
Breakdown: What an interesting game, spread notwithstanding. Duke was wildly underwhelming for most of the year but now has won 9 games in a row. Oral Roberts is a machine this year and had a great tournament experience from 2021. Max Abmas could play for anybody and they have a 14-foot tall center you just have to watch. I think Oral can outscore Duke and probably will. And if you are going to give me an extra 6 points, then I will gobble that up. Duke is 12-19 against the spread this year by the way. Jon Scheyer is coaching his first tournament game also.
BTI PICK: Oral Roberts (+6)

7:25 pm (Des Moines)
#2 Texas (-13.5) vs. #15 Colgate
Breakdown: Colgate is constantly in the NCAA Tournament. Recent results include: 2022-Wisconsin (lost by 7), 2021-Arkansas (lost by 17), 2019-Tennessee (lost by 9). I think they are due to really, really scare a top team. I think Texas could be headed to the Final Four but I anticipate some hangover from their great run in the Big 12 tournament. Colgate also buries a lot of threes and doesn’t turn it over. All signs point to them being really competitive here.
BTI PICK: Colgate (+13.5)

7:35 pm (Sacramento)
#7 Northwestern (-2) vs. #10 Boise State
Breakdown: I think this is easy money. Yes, the Wildcats have to travel a bit but people just don’t realize how solid that team has been. And Boise not only comes from the dreaded Mountain West but also has been playing less than great. Just 2 covers in their last 10 games. Northwestern finished 2nd in a very strong conference, they defend the crap out of you, and take care of the ball. I just think they are going to comfortably win this game. Give away the 2 points.
BTI PICK: Northwestern (-2)

9:20 pm (Birmingham)
#1 Houston (-19.5) vs. #16 Northern Kentucky
Breakdown: Darrin Horn made 1 tournament at WKU and went to the Sweet 16. The man can coach. But he is facing his toughest challenge to date. The biggest question will be if Houston’s Marcus Sasser plays. My guess is he doesn’t because they should win this game without him and then put him back in for the 2nd round. If that occurs, I like the Norse. Plus, the game should be played at a slow pace as both teams are in the bottom 50 in the country in tempo. If Sasser plays, maybe adjust your thoughts. But I think NKU will play with the Cougars.
BTI PICK: Northern Kentucky (+19.5)

9:40 pm (Orlando)
#4 Tennessee (-11.5) vs. #13 Louisiana
Breakdown: Tennessee would be prime for an upset here after the injury to Zakai Zeigler but I think the draw gods did them a favor here. Louisiana is not battle-tested, only playing 2 tournament teams, losing by 28 to Texas and 12 to Drake. Are you telling me Tennessee can’t equal what Drake did? Now, the Vols don’t exactly come in on fire either. But they can defend and still can defend and I don’t think ULL has seen anything like that in the Sun Belt. I think the Vols get trounced in Round 2 and I bet this game is tight at halftime but I think UT wears them down in the 2nd half and just barely covers.
BTI PICK: Tennessee (-11.5)

9:55 pm (Des Moines)
#7 Texas A&M (-3) vs. #10 Penn State
Breakdown: 2 teams that have overachieved for sure. But I will remind everybody about 1 thing. A&M got robbed of an NCAA berth last year and I think they have been out for blood all year. I think Penn State relies too much on the 3-pointer and is due to go cold after a great Big 10 run. There is always a power conference team that makes a surprise run the week before the tournament and then flames out quickly (see: 2022 Virginia Tech). That is the Nittany Lions here. One stat to consider: A&M makes 11 more free throws a game than Penn State and attempts over 15 more. In close games like this, that can be the difference.
BTI PICK: Texas A&M (-3)

10:05 pm (Sacramento)
#2 UCLA (-17.5) vs. #15 UNC-Asheville
Breakdown: Remember the name Drew Pember. He transferred from Tennessee and when you watch him it looks like he isn’t trying. And then he dominates the game. He dictates everything UNCA does and he has good shooters around him. If UCLA lets the game go through him, they could be a longshot upset possibility. UCLA just lost their best defender to injury and their starting center got hurt in the Pac-12 Tournament. The Bruins experience should still overwhelm UNCA but I’m going to keep a close eye on this one and feel good they can cover this spread.
BTI PICK: UNC-Asheville (+17.5)